Montour Falls village board 1/6/12

Meeting: The Montour Falls village board met Monday, Feb. 6, for one hour and 40 minutes. Attendance: All board members were present. There was one member of the public in the audience. Action: The board approved closing off Masonic Drive to vehicular traffic and limiting it to pedestrian use only, pending the approval of the fire department. Board member Jim Ryan added they should do something so cars know not to turn down it. The short road is off of Main Street, next to the Masonic Temple. • The board will send letters to commercial water district users asking them to re-calibrate their water meters. When discussing the water lines, the board also agreed to at least look into an interconnecting water system with the town of Dix. Mayor John King said the village wants the hospital to have another source of water in case something happens to the water delivery to Schuyler Hospital. • The 2011 delinquent tax list was approved so the village can proceed with the tax foreclosure process. • The board agreed to participate in a shared services grant application by Schuyler County. Discussion without action: Board member Ellen Mathers gave a report on starting a sidewalk repair program. She said she spoke with Brent Bodine, director of public works for Penn Yan. The village of Penn Yan has an annual program offering to repair some sidewalks for residents. Mathers said there is some cost to the residents, but the village does the work. Ryan suggested that if Montour Falls starts a similar program, they fix sidewalks the village is responsible for first. King pointed out that sidewalk slabs are being pushed up by tree roots. • Montour Falls Improvement Association member Phil Gillemot presented to the board about a new sign for She-Qua-Ga Falls. He reported that the new sign should identify the falls to approaching cars and pedestrians and would be given to the village as a gift. It would be situated near the sidewalk on the southern front side of the park. • Superintendent of Public Works Dean Hillyard reported on a meeting he had with the Gateway Project committee. He said the members are finalizing details of the improvement work planned for downtown Montour Falls. The committee’s recommendations will be presented to the village board for approval. Appointments/resignations: The board approved the election inspectors for the March village election. Upcoming meetings: The next village board meeting is Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m.